New platinum superalloys have been created that offer more efficient aircraft turbines and power generators.

The superalloys would allow greater efficiency at higher temperatures and are expected to boost metal demand by hundreds of thousands of ounces according to researchers.

Currently being tested by the Platinum Development Initiative (PDI), which is headquartered in South Africa, the platinum product is still many years away from commercial use.

Lesley Cornish, a scientist who heads the PDI, told Reuters: "We've got some very, very nice results which are comparable to the materials we're trying to replace, but ours can go to higher temperatures."

It is hoped the new alloys could replace current nickel-based alloys used in turbine blades, since the platinum should allow solidity at temperatures of 1,300-1,350 degrees Celsius compared to 1,150 degrees Celsius.

In addition, the new materials are more resistant to corrosion and last longer.

Professor Cornish believes if the superalloys were implemented by companies such as Rolls Royce and General Electric, platinum output could be increase by 200,000 to 500,000 ounces each year.

This increase would mean total expected platinum demand would mean a rise of 7.6 per cent over the forecasted 6.58 million ounces this year.

Although the alloy is more expensive and heavier than current nickel alloys, its benefits are expected to outweigh this.

Japanese researchers are also looking into superalloys using pgms ruthenium and iridium.